Health Officials Addressing Underage Drinking in Worcester County

SNOW HILL, Md.- Officials with the Worcester County Health Department are expressing concern after the county ranked first in the state of Maryland for underage binge drinking in a recently published national youth risk behavior study.

The health department is now conducting a survey to address the alarming rank.

In Snow Hill, Mary Worthington was not surprised to hear that Worcester County has an underage drinking problem.

"There just doesn't seem to be a whole lot for kids to do around here. I mean there's a lot of outdoor activities. This is a wonderful area, but they don't really focus on the teenagers and keeping them busy," Worthington said.

Marty Pusey, director of prevention services for the Worcester County Health Department, said the study results surprised her. Pusey said the health department is urging parents and teens to complete an online survey to ease underage alcohol access.

"We're trying to find out how accessible is alcohol, and if they have actually used alcohol in the past 30 days, how did they get it? How did they access it?" Pusey said.

Pusey does not only want to hear from teens; she also wants to hear from their parents.

"Just have a conversation with your young person and say, 'I would really like you not to use alcohol,'" Pusey said.

Worthington said it is not always an easy conversation to have.

"There needs to be more outreach to the parents," she said. "I think the parents have a hard time talking to teenagers, and knowing what they should be saying and how to direct them."

Authorities investigate after at least 25 dead horses were found on a rural property in Wicomico County, Maryland Friday morning. Lt. Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said around 11 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Wicomico County Animal Control, began an investigation into the report of the presence of deceased horses on the property outside of Hebron.

Authorities investigate after at least 25 dead horses were found on a rural property in Wicomico County, Maryland Friday morning. Lt. Tim Robinson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said around 11 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Wicomico County Animal Control, began an investigation into the report of the presence of deceased horses on the property outside of Hebron.

More details have emerged on a horrific story in Wicomico County. Wicomico County Animal Control and sheriff's deputies were at a Hebron farm Saturday to begin removing horses and to investigate animal cruelty. This comes after authorities found over one hundred live horses and twenty-five dead on the property. WBOC's Caroline Coles reports.

More details have emerged on a horrific story in Wicomico County. Wicomico County Animal Control and sheriff's deputies were at a Hebron farm Saturday to begin removing horses and to investigate animal cruelty. This comes after authorities found over one hundred live horses and twenty-five dead on the property. WBOC's Caroline Coles reports.

Details were limited, but from the photos provided it was clear to see the extensive damage caused by a fire inside a mobile home early Sunday morning at Malone's Bayside Marina in Millsboro. The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company posted a few photos on their Facebook page that showed the heavy flames and smoke. According to an update on the page, the fire appeared to be under control just after 5:30 Sunday morning, but the photos show the mobile home is a complete loss.

Details were limited, but from the photos provided it was clear to see the extensive damage caused by a fire inside a mobile home early Sunday morning at Malone's Bayside Marina in Millsboro. The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company posted a few photos on their Facebook page that showed the heavy flames and smoke. According to an update on the page, the fire appeared to be under control just after 5:30 Sunday morning, but the photos show the mobile home is a complete loss.